Roller-bearing.



Patented' Aug. l5, |899'.Y

A.- LEVEDAHL.

ROLLER BEARING.

{Application led Dec. 27, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet lk No Model.,y

,QW/Zant- @re/ ema/ C@ Mw/QJ@ Patented Aug. l5, |899.

A. LEVEDAHL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

AXE-L LEVEDAHL, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T O THE AURORAAUTOMATIOMACHINERY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ROLLER-BEARING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of 4Letters Patent No. 631,019, dated August15, 1899.

Application tiled December 27,1898. Serial No. 700,299. (No model.)

.To allvwhom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, AXEL LEVEDAHL, of Aurora, in the county of Kane andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRoller-Bearings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved construction in roller-bearingsadapted for shafts, journals, and the like of that classembracing, inconnection with the shaft-journal or other cylindric rotative part, anexterior part or housing having an annular bearing-surface surroundingthe same, a plurality of cylindric rollers interposed between the shaftor journal and said annular bearing-surface, and a rotative cageconsisting of two connected heads or ends in which the ends of saidrollers are journaled, which is carried by said rollers and by which thesaid rollers are held constantly in parallel relation during theirbodily motion around the bearing-surface.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointedout in the appended claims. y

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 isa View in plan elevation of a bearing embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section on line 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section on line3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the cage, taken on line 4 4iof Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a crosssection on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is aside elevation of the caging-ring containing the balls. Fig. 7 is a planview of saidc'agingring. Fig. 8 illustrates a modification of theadjustable roller-bearing.

As shown in said drawings, A indicates a cylindric shaft or journal, andB a stationary casing or housing which surrounds the said shaft orjournal and is provided with a cylindric interior bearing-surface.

O O indicate the antifriction-rollers which are interposed between theshaft or journal A and the inner bearing-surface of the housing B. Thesaid rollers are engaged at their ends with a cage consisting of tworings or heads D D and a plurality of connecting-bars D2 D2. The centralopenings of the headsD D' are somewhat larger in diameter than theshaft, so that they are free from contact therewith, and the externaldiameter of the heads is somewhat less than the interior diameter of thehousing B, in which said heads are inserted.

The ends of the rollers O are engaged with the heads D D' by means ofantifriction-roller bearings made as follows: The head D is provided inits inner face with a plurality of cir cular recesses forming theannular external bearing-surfaces or ball-races, and the adjacent endsof the rollers have journal projections c, having conicaloutwardly-tapering bearing-surfaces which enter said recesses, andbetween which and the external bearingsurfaces are located bearing-ballsE E. In order to Vprovide suitably-hardened bearingsurfaces for theballs, the surfaces of the recesses are formed by means of separatelinings or cups F, which may be secured in the recesses by being forcedtherein under pressure. The head D is provided with a plurality ofscrew-threaded apertures d', in which are located screw-plugs G G,having formed in their inner ends bearing-recesses like those in thehead D. The ends of the rollers adjacent to said plugs are provided withjournal projections c, having outwardly-tapering conicalbearing-surfaces, between which and the bearing-surfaces of the recessesin the plugs are located bearing-balls. The plugs G, havingscrew-threaded connection with the head D', as described, may be movedendwise in said head by turning them therein to afford accurateadjustment of the bearings at both ends of the rollers.

In order to provide means for securely fastening or holding the plugsfrom rotation when adjusted, the said plugs are made long enough toextend outside of the head D and are provided on their outer ends withnotched flanges g, with which are engaged .screwstuds g', of which thereis one for each plug inserted'in the outer surface of the head. Byremoving the screw-stud belonging to either plug the same may be turnedto a'desired extent and when properly adjusted the screwstud Will beinserted to hold the plug from further movement.

The heads D D and connecting-bars D2 of the cage are preferably madeintegral with each other or cut from one piece of metal; but, ifdesired, the heads maybe made separate from and secured to said bars.When the parts constituting the cage are integral with each other, it isnecessary to provide means for removing the rollers from and insertingthem in said cage. The means herein shown for this purpose consist ofnotches d? in the inner surface of the head D, said notches extendinginto the apertures which receive the plugs Gand operating in connectionwith said plugs. When the plugs are in their usual or normal positions,they extend over or cover the said notches da; but said plugs may bewithdrawn so far as to uncover the notches and permit the outwardmovement of the bearing projections on the ad jacent ends of the rollersoutwardly past their inner edges, it being obvious that the rollers maybe easily released by rst freeing their ends from the head D.

In order to hold from endwise movement the rollers and cage, aball-bearin g adapted to prevent any endwise movement of the cage withrespect to the housing B is provided between said cage and housing, asfollows: In the inner face of the housing, Opposite the edge of the headD, is formed an angular groove J, forming a ball-race, said groovehaving two angular or conical faces arranged at equal angles withrespect to the axis of the bearing. In the edge of the said head D,opposite the groove J, is a similar angular groove K, having two angularor conical surfaces which also are at equal angles with the central axisof the bearing. Said groove is formed part-ly on the head itself andpartly on a separate adjustable ring I, which is attached to the outerface of the head D. Said ring is shown as secured to the head by screwsl. In the opposite grooves J and K are located balls M. The rin g'I ismade removable in order to admit of the insertion and removal of theballs, and when adjustment is necessary to take up loss by wear the ringmay be rey duced in thickness by grinding or otherwise to give thedesired adjustment of the bearing-surfaces with relation to each other.

In Figs. 2, 6, and '7 is illustrated a cagingring for the balls whichform the bearing by which the cage is held from endwise movement in theexterior housing. ring, as indicated by N in the drawings, has the formof a cylindric band or hoop, which may be continuous or may be severedat one point, as in the instance shown in the drawings, in which lattercase it may be easily formed by bending into circular. form a straightstrip of sheet metal. 'Said ring is provided With a plurality ofcircular or nearly- -circnlar openings a, each of which is adapted toreceive one of the bearing-balls M; At opposite sides of said openingsare arranged Such cagingintegral pointed tongues or prongs n', which arebent or deflected outwardly from the ring, those belonging to eachopening being extended at opposite sides thereof, so as to engage theinner and outer surfaces of the balls, as clearlyseen in Fig. 7. Theholding-prongs referred to are arranged along the central line of thering, so that while having proper holding engagement with the balls theywill not strike or come in contact with the sides of the ball-grooves inthe housing-head D or of the cage-head. The said holding-prongs n willbe conveniently formed by cutting or punching the ring, as seen in Fig.6, to give proper form to said prongs and by bending the prongsoppositely and preferably into curved form to correspond generally withthe curvature of the balls which areheld between them.'

A caging-ring constructed as described obviously serves to hold theballs at uniform distances apart and at some distance from each other,thereby enabling the bearing to be constructed with a less number ofballs than would be necessary in the absence of such a caging-ring. Acaging-ring having openings and prongs as described has in itselfimportant advantages and may be used in connection with ball-bearings ofany kind where such a ring is applicable. It is therefore herein claimedas a separate improvement.

As a modification of the bearing for the rollers the cone may be anadjustable plug and the complemental cups in the end of the rollers asshown in Fig. 8, wherein the plug G is shown provided with a cone g2 ofthe ballbearing and the end of the roller is provided with theconiplemental cup c2. I claim as my inventionv IOO l. A roller-bearingcomprising an exterior case or housing provided with an interiorcylindric surface, a shaft or journal Within the same, rollers betweensaid parts, a cage for the rollers, and a ball-bearing for eachend ofeach roller consisting of annular bearing members, one of which hasaconical bearingsurface, and balls interposed between said bearingmembers, one of the bearing members at one end of each roller beingadjustable in the cage-head longitudinally with respect to the roller toprovide adjustment of said ball-bearings. Y

2. A roller-bearing comprising an exterior case or housing provided withan interior cylindric surface, a shaft or Vjournal therein, rollersbetween said parts, a cage for the rollers, and a ball-bearing for eachend of each roller consisting of annular bearing members, one ofWhichhas a conical bearing-sur- IIO face, and balls interposed betweensaid bear-4 ing members, the bearing members on one end of each rollerbein g adjustable in the casehead longitudinally with respect to theroller to provide adjustment of said roller-bearings and said adjustablebearing member having the form of a plug passing through and havingscrew-threaded engagement with the head which supports it.

3. A roller-bearing comprising an exterior housing or casing having aninterior cylindric surface, a shaft or journal within the same, rollersinterposed between said parts, a cage having heads to engage theopposite ends of the rollers, and a ball-bearing at each end of eachroller comprising a conical projection on the roller, a bearing-cup inthe head and interposed balls, the bearing-cup at one end of each rollerbeing formed in a plug which is adjustably secured in the head.

4. A roller-bearing comprising an exterior` housing or casinghaving aninterior cylindric surface, a shaft or journal Within the same, rollersinterposed between said parts, a caging having heads to engage theopposite ends of the rollers, and a ball-bearing for each end of eachroller comprising a conical projection on the roller, a bearing-cup inthe heads and interposed balls; the bearing-cup at one end of eachroller being formed in a plug which is adjustable in the head, and saidhead being provided with a peripheral notch through which the cone onthe roller may be passed for removing the roller from the cage.

5. A roller-bearing comprising an exterior housing or casing having aninterior cylindric surface, a shaft or journal Within the same, rollersinterposed between said parts, a cage having heads to engage theopposite ends of the rollers, and a ball-bearing for each end of eachroller comprising a conical projection on the roller, a bearing-cup inthe head and interposed balls; the bearing-cup at one end of each rollerbeing formed by means of a plug which is adjustable in the head, saidplug passing through the head and having screw-threaded engagementtherewith, and means for holding the plug from movement when adjustable,consisting of a notched fiange on the plug and a movable holdingstud orthe like adapted to engage one of the notches in said flange.

6. The combination of an exterior case or housing having a cylndricinterior surface, a shaft or journal Within the same, interposedrollers, a cage having heads affording bearings for the ends of therollers, and means for holding the cage from endwise movement in thehousing embracing opposite angular grooves on one head of the cage andthe housing, and bearing-balls inserted in said grooves.

7. The combination of an exterior case or housing having a cylindricinterior surface, a shaft or journal within the same, interposedrollers, a cage having heads affording bearings for the ends of therollers, means for holding the cage from endwise movement in the housingembracing opposite angular grooves on one head of the cage and thehousing, and bearing-balls inserted in said grooves, the cage-headcontaining said bearing-groove having a separable ring which forms theouter Wall of the groove.

S. A roller-bearing comprising an exterior housing or casing, a shaft orjournal Within the same, rollers interposed between said parts, a cagehaving heads to engage opposite ends of the rollers and ball-bearings atthe ends of the rollers each comprising a cone and cup with ballsinterposed between, one of said parts being secured on a head and actingto hold the rollers parallel with respect to the shaft.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix mysignature, in presence of two witnesses, this 17th day of December, A.D. 1898.

AXEL LEVEDAHL.

